Science of Scales is a monthly blog written by our Director of Science, Houston Chandler. The blog is written for a general audience and features articles on a variety of topics, including the latest in herpetofaunal conservation research, highlights of The Orianne Society’s ongoing projects, and discussions of important ecosystems and species.
Indigo Snake Sampling and the Annual SEPARC Meeting
A large male indigo snake observed on an eDNA survey in southeast Georgia. – Houston Chandler I recently…
New published research: Examining indigo snake growth
Understanding factors that impact indigo snake body size and growth is particularly relevant because of ongoing reintroduction efforts.
2023 Science Initiative Highlights
Read about some of the research projects and accomplishments made by The Orianne Society's Science Initiative during 2023.
New published research: Duff removal may speed restoration in fire-suppressed wetlands
In the southeastern U.S., managing the small fragments of remaining longleaf pine forest requires extensive efforts to simulate natural disturbances...
Searching for Indigo Snake DNA
An indigo snake track leading into a small tortoise burrow. – Ben Stegenga A fundamental goal of wildlife…
New Published Research: Where do indigo snakes shelter?
Indigo snakes present an interesting case study of shelter site use in a terrestrial snake because of the latitudinal differences...
An update on our Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnake Research
Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes are currently the focus of significant conservation concern. The species has been petitioned for federal listing under...
New Published Research: Landscape Structure and Turtle Communities
This month, I take a look at a recently published paper that leverages the large dataset built over several field...
Technician Spotlight: Kevin Hutcheson on Growing as a Field Biologist
"The experience you gain and the connections you make along the way make it all worthwhile... you get to take...
New published research: Climate change and Spotted Turtle sex ratios
An adult Spotted Turtle from southeastern Georgia – Houston Chandler The Eastern Spotted Turtle Working Group is composed…
The Bog Turtle
Adult Bog Turtle – Michael Holden This is an update to an article that I originally wrote in…
A new siren species
The newly described Siren sphagnicola – Pierson Hill The identification and description of life on Earth is a…